from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Steel \Steel\ (st[=e]l), n. [AS. st[=e]l, st[=y]l, st[=y]le;
akin to D. staal, G. stahl, OHG. stahal, Icel. st[=a]l, Dan.
staal, Sw. st[*a]l, Old Prussian stakla.]
1. (Metal) A variety of iron intermediate in composition and
properties between wrought iron and cast iron (containing
between one half of one per cent and one and a half per
cent of carbon), and consisting of an alloy of iron with
an iron carbide. Steel, unlike wrought iron, can be
tempered, and retains magnetism. Its malleability
decreases, and fusibility increases, with an increase in
carbon.
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2. An instrument or implement made of steel; as:
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(a) A weapon, as a sword, dagger, etc. "Brave Macbeth . .
. with his brandished steel." --Shak.
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While doubting thus he stood,
Received the steel bathed in his brother's
blood. --Dryden.
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(b) An instrument of steel (usually a round rod) for
sharpening knives.
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(c) A piece of steel for striking sparks from flint.
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3. Fig.: Anything of extreme hardness; that which is
characterized by sternness or rigor. "Heads of steel."
--Johnson. "Manhood's heart of steel." --Byron.
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4. (Med.) A chalybeate medicine. --Dunglison.
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Note: Steel is often used in the formation of compounds,
generally of obvious meaning; as, steel-clad,
steel-girt, steel-hearted, steel-plated, steel-pointed,
etc.
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{Bessemer steel} (Metal.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Blister steel}. (Metal.) See under {Blister}.
{Cast steel} (Metal.), a fine variety of steel, originally
made by smelting blister or cementation steel; hence,
ordinarily, steel of any process of production when
remelted and cast.
{Chrome steel}, {Chromium steel} (Metal.), a hard, tenacious
variety containing a little chromium, and somewhat
resembling {tungsten steel}.
{Mild steel} (Metal.), a kind of steel having a lower
proportion of carbon than ordinary steel, rendering it
softer and more malleable.
{Puddled steel} (Metal.), a variety of steel produced from
cast iron by the puddling process.
{Steel duck} (Zool.), the goosander, or merganser. [Prov.
Eng.]
{Steel mill}.
(a) (Firearms) See {Wheel lock}, under {Wheel}.
(b) A mill which has steel grinding surfaces.
(c) A mill where steel is manufactured.
{Steel trap}, a trap for catching wild animals. It consists
of two iron jaws, which close by means of a powerful steel
spring when the animal disturbs the catch, or tongue, by
which they are kept open.
{Steel wine}, wine, usually sherry, in which steel filings
have been placed for a considerable time, -- used as a
medicine.
{Tincture of steel} (Med.), an alcoholic solution of the
chloride of iron.
{Tungsten steel} (Metal.), a variety of steel containing a
small amount of tungsten, and noted for its tenacity and
hardness, as well as for its malleability and tempering
qualities. It is also noted for its magnetic properties.
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